Help Me Understand, Vol. 1: Poetry
Teach an old philosopher new tricks
Socrates allegedly once said that if he knew more than other people it was only because he was aware of his own ignorance. Well, I’m aware of my own ignorance, and I’d like to lessen it with your help. I’ll first explain my conundrum and at the end of the article make my specific request. I thank you for your time and attention.
I’m going to start a new series here on Medium: “Help Me Understand.” I am quite sincere. There are a number of things that I do not understand, and I would appreciate people explaining them to me. I have a list. It’s growing. But if I can start some conversations and receive the experience and wisdom of other people, I’d appreciate it.
First up — poetry. I don’t get it. I don’t understand the appeal.
Much of the blame for that goes to the crap U.S. schools that I was forced to attend. I hated it because nobody much cared about teaching anything. The “English” courses were taught by passionless teachers and thus were exercises in enforced boredom.
Aside from “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” which I kind of liked, I came away with the impressions that poetry was ponderous, prolix, pretentious, and pompous. I appreciate clever writing, including alliteration, but I don’t see it in the poetry people…
